Oil Pan Description
The engine oil pan is mounted to the bottom of the cylinder block. The engine oil pan houses the crankcase and is made of cast aluminum.
Engine oil is pumped from the oil pan by the oil pump. After it passes through the oil filter, it is fed through two paths to lubricate the cylinder block and cylinder head. In one path, the oil is pumped through oil passages in the crankshaft to the connecting rods, then to the pistons and cylinders. It then drains back to the oil pan. In the second path, the oil is pumped through passages to the camshaft. The oil passes through the internal passageways in the camshafts to lubricate the valve assemblies before draining back to the oil pan.
Oil Pump Description
The oil pump draws engine oil from the oil pan and feeds it under pressure to the various parts of the engine. An oil strainer is mounted before the inlet of the oil pump to remove impurities which could clog or damage the oil pump or other engine components. When the crankshaft rotates, the oil pump driven gear rotates. This causes the space between the gears to constantly open and narrow, pulling oil in from the oil pan when the space opens and pumping the oil out to the engine as it narrows.
At high engine speeds, the oil pump supplies a much higher amount of oil than required for lubrication of the engine. The oil pressure regulator prevents too much oil from entering the engine lubrication passages. During normal oil supply, a coil spring and valve keep the bypass closed, directing all of the oil pumped to the engine. When the amount of oil being pumped increases, the pressure becomes high enough to overcome the force of the spring. This opens the valve of the oil pressure regulator, allowing the excess oil to flow through the valve and drain back to the oil pan.